Chapter 36
The setting sun cast a warm orange glow over the mansion, painting the clouds a soft peach hue reflected in the rippling fountain. Servants moved purposefully, attending to their duties with practiced efficiency. A plate of half-eaten macarons sat beside a cooling cup of tea on a small, sleek table.
As twilight deepened, the last rays of sunlight warmed Stacy’s chaise lounge, enveloping her in a cocoon of warmth. Everything seemed perfectly in place. But a vibration from her purse shattered the tranquility. Lazily raising her teacup, Stacy savored a final sip before languidly retrieving her phone.
“Rocco, have you had dinner yet?” she asked, rising and heading indoors. The garden, lovely as it was, offered too many prying eyes and cars for such a private conversation.
“Maura’s been taken,” Rocco’s grim voice replied.
“What?” The words struck Stacy like a blow. Her steady tap of high heels faltered; the elegant rhythm of her steps faltered. Shock pulsed through her, thickening the air with tension.
Her easygoing tone vanished. Her voice dropped to a furious whisper. “What was it you promised me?” she demanded, her fingers tightening around the phone. “You swore those men were professionals, that Maura wouldn’t be hurt. How could you mess up something so simple?”
The distant honk of a car horn drifted from the driveway. Jaxon, fresh from work, took the elevator from the underground garage directly to the living room, briefcase in hand.
“Mr. Crawford,” a maid greeted him with a respectful nod.
Jaxon tossed his briefcase onto the couch, loosening his tie as he scanned the room. “Where’s Stacy?”
“She’s in the bedroom, sir. On the third floor.”
Jaxon nodded and headed upstairs.
In the bedroom, Stacy paced furiously. “You useless fool,” she snarled into the phone. “I’m telling you, if anything happens to Maura, you’ll never get another penny from me again.”
Rocco, feeling the pressure of her wrath, could only swallow his pride and try to calm her. He couldn’t afford to lose her money.
“Don’t worry: Caleb has Aurora’s photo. He’s not face-blind; he won’t mix them up,” he soothed. “He promised to release Maura the moment she wakes up. He’ll even ensure she gets home safely.”
Stacy’s anger subsided, replaced by a relieved sigh. “Alright,” she muttered, though anxiety still gnawed at her. “Put Maura on the phone. I need to hear she’s safe myself.”
Just then, Jaxon reached the third floor and opened the bedroom door, catching the end of Stacy’s conversation. Noticing Stacy pacing on the balcony, he approached quietly, his mind racing. Something had happened to Maura? Stacy, her back to the door, remained oblivious, absorbed in the call.
Maura’s voice came through the phone, fueling Stacy’s irritation.
“No, that’s too risky. What? Aurora slapped Maura?” Stacy fumed. “Well, if you insist. But stay away from that stuff; it’s dangerous. Don’t worry about Aurora; she’s tough enough.”
Jaxon stopped, suspicion growing. He stood silently, listening intently. Though he only caught fragments, the truth was becoming clear.
Unaware of him, Stacy continued with a casual smirk, her manicured fingers tracing the balcony railing. “Don’t worry, that drug might be addictive, but it won’t kill her. It’d be too easy for that country bumpkin to die so quickly.” Besides, Stacy thought, they still needed her mother’s assets. If she died, it would all go to charity.
She then handed the phone to Caleb, her tone sharpening as she berated him, embracing her role as the one in charge. She knew Caleb wouldn’t hurt Maura—not while he still received payment—and that thought somewhat eased her mind.
Before she could relax, a deep male voice froze her. “What have you been hiding from me?”
Chapter 36 (continued)
The sudden voice startled Stacy; she almost dropped the phone. For a second, cold sweat beaded on her skin as fear gripped her—she thought she’d been caught red-handed.
Turning, relief flooded her as she recognized Jaxon. Instead of explaining immediately, she shot a nervous glance towards the doorway, terrified someone else might overhear.
Jaxon, his expression unreadable, calmly removed his jacket and hung it on the rack. “Relax, we’re alone.”
He sank into an armchair, rubbing his temples. “Now, tell me. What are you planning to do to Aurora?”
Stacy, relieved, moved to Jaxon’s side and perched on the armrest. With honeyed words, she reframed her vengeful plot as devotion to her husband.
“Honey, Aurora’s been nothing but trouble since she returned. She offended the Newtons and even slapped Maura. It’s outrageous.”
The Newtons brought a frown to Jaxon’s face. He recalled Aurora’s humiliation of them at the Lloyd family’s party, and her theft of Beatrix’s diamond bracelet. The Newtons held grudges; Jaxon had felt their coldness ever since, even after Maura’s engagement to Josh. If not for Aurora, he wouldn’t be enduring such humiliation.
Stacy chuckled softly, wrapping her arm around Jaxon’s neck, her voice sweet and coaxing. “Honey, I’m your wife. Aurora may not be my biological daughter, but since I love you, I treat her as my own. And as her mother, isn’t it my duty to discipline her?”
Jaxon’s expression softened. He nodded, trying to appear reasonable. “You’re right. She’s definitely picked up some bad habits. A little discipline wouldn’t hurt.”
However, he hesitated, concern clouding his eyes. “I heard you mention some addictive substance. If people find out, we could face serious legal consequences.”
“Just hit her if you must,” Jaxon added casually, as if discussing a disobedient pet. “If that’s not enough, break one of her legs. But those drugs… let’s avoid those.”
Jaxon’s thoughts drifted. Aurora’s quite the loser, after all. I’ve been thinking about taking her to some business dinners. If she can help me land lucrative contracts, that’ll be worth more than getting rid of her just yet?
Stacy’s eyes glimmered. As I expected, no one truly cares about Aurora.
“Honey, think about it,” Stacy said, lightly punching Jaxon’s shoulder and pouting playfully. “Remember the party? Aurora could have helped you connect with Mr. Harrison, but she kept embarrassing you. She’s nothing but a rebellious troublemaker.”